Central Academy of Technology and Arts 1

Central Academy of Technology and Arts

Cougar Chronicle U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School

Dear CATA Family,

We have had another excited week. Union County citizens passed the

UCPS School Bonds, Mr. Hardy, our Teacher of the Year, and I attended

the Blue Ribbon School Ceremony in Washington D.C., and we have suc-

cessfully ended our Fall Sports season and are in full swing for Winter

Sports! This coming week we have a Red Cross Blood Drive during school

from 9-1:30 on Wednesday, November 16 and the Theater Department is

performing their NCTC shows on Tuesday, 11/15 at 7pm. All ticket pro-

ceeds will go toward deferring student cost for the State competition—we hope

you will come out to support us! This coming week is anti –bullying week and our

student council and guidance counselors have activities planned throughout the

week . In addition November 14-18 is Free college application week, so please see

this edition for details.

The ASVAB Career Interest Inventory will be given to all interested 10th, 11th,

and 12th grade students on Wednesday, December 14th during 1st and 2nd

block. The ASVAB is for students who are unsure of what career path they

would like to follow after high school. Please sign up in the Guidance Office by

Friday, December 9th. See your assigned School Counselor with any questions.

Are you interested in taking World Drumming next semester? Or Statistical Methods (STATS) through

South Piedmont Community College? If so please see Ms. Lawson ASAP to sign up!!!

See details inside about the Performing Arts Wreath Sale—this ends soon!

We encourage parents to contact their child’s guidance counselor about FAFSA or federal aid for

college if you have questions. We want every student to apply for financial aid over the next week.

We are in need of a parent volunteer to serve on our site-based leadership team. Please see de-

tails in this edition.

We are seeking parent volunteers for our annual faculty staff Thanksgiving Dinner sponsored by the

PTSO.

The PTSO has launched their annual Invest in Excellence campaign aimed at supporting great

instruction in our school. Please see the Invest In Excellence Brochure in the chronicle for details.

Attendance matters. Your child’s attendance matters to their learning.

New Labs for Math and Writing: see schedules in the chronicle

We will honor our Fall Athletes at Fall Sports Awards Night Monday, November 14th @ 7:00 pm in the

CATA Auditorium.

The Artist’s Music Guild presents the 2016 AMG Heritage Awards on November 12. See details in-

side.

Please take time to read over this newsletter. The Cougar Chronicles are also available on the website.

The Cougar Chronicle, in addition to our website, will be the main form of communication from school

to home. At CATA we will continue to work toward Leading the Way so that your child can lead the

way in the future!

Go Cougars!

Dr. Fisenne

Volume 4; Issue 13 November 10, 2016

Central Academy of Technology and Arts 2

Guidance News

Seniors…. Graduation—Saturday, June 10, 2017 7:30 PM at Winthrop Coliseum

SENIORS – did you miss Financial Aid night?? Check out CFNC’s presentation here!

The link will be at the top of the page. You can learn about the FAFSA, financial aid basics, and

more!

Josten’s will be here Tuesday, November 15 during lunches to take final senior orders and

deliver roster t-shirts.

Seniors – COLLEGE APPLICATION WEEK will be November 14-18, 2016! CFNC.org is once

again sponsoring College Application Week. The purpose of this event is to provide all high

school seniors with the opportunity to apply to colleges online using CFNC.org. During this

week, some North Carolina colleges will waive their application fees. See the attached flyer

for a list of participating colleges.

Here at CATA, our school counselors will be visiting English IV classes on Monday,

November 14th to assist students with applying to college. On Wednesday, November 16th,

seniors who do not have English IV this semester, or seniors that just wish to have additional

help, can work with counselors in the media center 4th period. Make sure to sign up in

Guidance if you are interested. Please see Mrs. Cameron if you have any questions!

Parents of seniors – Senior ads are on sale now! Order online or at CATA. These prices are

good until November 18th. Contact Ms. Christensen for more information.

1/8 page = $60, 1/4 page = $95, 1/2 page = $185, Full page = $280

Seniors, it's time to select your pose for the yearbook!

CATA Guidance Department A high school guidance department can

help your student with a LOT during high

school—counseling during a problem/or

stress, college planning, career/college

questions, interview skills, problem solving

with classes/teachers, friendship/social is-

sues. Counselors also help with scheduling

and what courses to take. Counselors are

available to answer parent questions as well.

Please see the list of counselors by acade-

my:

Ashley Lawson: Medical Science, Transportation

& Guidance Department Chairperson

Kendall Cameron: Pre-Engineering and Perform-

ing Arts (theatre & dance)

Melody Carr: Information Systems

(CyberSecurity, Computer Engineering, Software

& Game Design) and Music Production & Re-

cording Arts.

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College and Scholarship Spotlight

WTS Transportation YOU High School Scholarship:

WTS is offering a $1,000 scholarship to girls pursuing high school studies in science, technolo-

gy, engineering, and math. To be eligible, students must: 1). Be a high school senior; 2). Have

a minimum 3.0 GPA; 3). Be currently studying math, science, and technology; and 4). Be

considering a college degree in a transportation-related field. Selection will be based on the

applicant's specific transportation goals, academic record, and transportation-related ac-

tivities or job skills. Applications are available in Guidance. Deadline: November 14, 2016.

Service Academy Nomination Deadline - November 22, 2016 – Students wishing to attend a

U.S. Service Academy must submit their application and all required materials by November

22nd! The Office of Richard Hudson will gladly provide nominations for interested students. In

order to be nominated, students must complete a Service Academy form (found here) and

provide the following required items: an essay summarizing your reasons for wanting to at-

tend a Service Academy; an official transcript; official ACT/SAT scores; three letters of rec-

ommendation from non-relatives, at least two of which must be from teachers or school offi-

cials; and a recent photograph. For more detailed information, please visit: https://hudson.house.gov/service-academy-nomination

iTeach Day at East Carolina University - December 3, 2016:

ECU will host this event for prospective Teacher Education students from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00

p.m. College of Education faculty and students will help you to learn more about their pro-

gram options. To register, please visit: https://epay-banner.ecu.edu/C20694_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=59&SINGLESTORE=true. Registration deadline: November 21, 2016 @

5:00 p.m.

College Presentations: Juniors or Seniors

The following colleges plan to visit at the dates and times listed. If you are interested in attending one

of these information sessions, please sign up in the Guidance Office.

Updated college visits:

UNC Asheville - November 17, 2016 @ 2:30 p.m.

Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) - December 6, 2016 @ 11:15 a.m.

Winston-Salem State University - December 7, 2016 @ 9:40 a.m.**

**Onsite admissions available!

Seniors – Your NEW Scholarship Newsletter is available! Find a copy here!

See Your Counselor

about Federal Financial

Aid. Create an

Account, have your

parents fill out the

information, and see if

you qualify for MONEY

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Class Information and College and Career Corner JUNIORS—All juniors will be taking the ACT, a college entrance exam, in

early March. In order to best prepare all juniors will work on ACT prepa-

ration during Cougar Time two times per week.

9th, 10th, and 11th graders - Every year, the Catalyst Conference brings a

selected group of 100 high school students from across North Carolina

to UNC Chapel Hill for a weekend-long exploration of social justice is-

sues affecting both America and the larger world. Through leadership

and personal development sessions, we aim to empower participants

so they can serve as catalysts for positive change in their own commu-

nities. The conference will take place on the campus of UNC Chapel

Hill on February 17-19, 2017. To learn more about this opportunity, please

visit: https://unccatalyst.wordpress.com/. Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, November 26th, 2016.

The ASVAB Career Interest Inventory will be given to 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students

on Wednesday, December 14th during 1st and 2nd block. The ASVAB is for students who

are unsure of what career path they would like to follow after high school. Please sign up

in the Guidance Office by Friday, December 9th. If you have any questions please see

your assigned School Counselor. Thank you!

Are you interested in taking World Drumming next semester? Or Statistical Methods (STATS)

through South Piedmont Community College? If so please see Ms. Lawson ASAP to sign

up!!!

RED CROSS BLOOD

DRIVE Wed. Nov. 16

AT CATA 9-1:30

Wreath Sale for Performing Arts To order a wreath, please send a check made out to 'CATA

Performing Arts' to the main office in an envelope by No-

vember 15th with the following information:

Student Name, phone number, # of 24" wreaths at $25

each, # of 32" wreaths at $30 each, and total of order.

Wreaths will be ready for pick-up on 11/28 at CATA!

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Attendance Letters and Recovery -Attendance at school is a priority. It is so important to be present in order to learn and to gain opportunities

for mastering coursework. This is also a very important life lesson for our children to learn—in life we have ex-

pectations of going to work and working to the best of our ability, and this good life habit starts with attend-

ance at school.

- To ensure maximum student attendance we will be contacting students and parents when students reach

3, 6, and 8 absences.

-According to UCPS attendance policy students should not miss more than 7 classes in each class. The goal is

to not miss ANY school, but if a student has a valid reason, such as an illness or other excused absence, they

can have up to 7 absences and still pass the class.

-It is important that excuse notes be written and turned into the office within 3 days after an absence. After

the three days, then the absences are recorded as unexcused permanently.

- At each absence threshold (3,6,8) CATA staff will make the determination if the student needs to begin the

recovery process to make up absences and notify parents and students on how to make up time missed

from school. Recovery should be done during the semester and in the two week time span given or the stu-

dent will not be allowed to recover the absences at a later date.

-There are UCPS limits on how many classes can be recovered. Recovery will be held on Tuesdays and Thurs-

days after school with Ms. Riley, or with the student's individual teacher. Students are expected to work on

content during recovery time. This plan is in place so that your student makes up content close to the date it

was delivered in class.

Work Keys Testing for CTE What is WorkKeys?

The WorkKeys assessment is a multiple choice test that will be given online to seniors that

have or are in the process of completing four Career & Technical Education (CTE) courses in

a specific career cluster and consists of three sections (Applied Mathematics, Locating In-

formation, and Reading for Information). The assessments measure skills such as reading,

math, listening, locating information, and teamwork.

Why is WorkKeys Important?

These are skills that employers feel are critical to job success and can help students under-

stand how they can improve their skills for better paying jobs. Students who take the Work-

Keys tests have a clear way to demonstrate their abilities to future employers. A large num-

ber of students are entering the workforce without adequate skills to qualify them for the

jobs they want. By increasing their skill levels while they are still in school, students increase

their opportunities for higher salaries in the future.

What do your WorkKeys Scores mean?

Students have the opportunity to earn an ACT National Career Readiness Certificate. A

certificate is provided at the platinum, gold, silver, and bronze levels. Students can use their

results to identify jobs for which they are qualified for and improve on areas where their skills

are weak.

How can you Prepare for it?

To prepare for the WorkKeys assessments students can login to Keytrain at: http://

login.keytrain.com and enter their username: u+ your student ID # (ex. U1234567) and pass-

word: 8 digit date of birth (MMDDYYYY – March 3, 1997) (ex. 03031997).

For more information about the WorkKeys assessment and the Career Readiness Certificate,

see your CDC (Mrs. Webb) or go to: http://act.org/workkeys/careerseekers/scores.html.

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Parent Involvement

PTSO – To get involved, please send an email to thecougarcoun-

cil@gmail.com or call the main office and leave a message for the

PTSO. PTSO MEETING DATES (all will be in the media center) November 15th at 6:30 pm,

February 6th at 6:30 pm, April 3rd at 6:30 pm Help our PTSO raise funds to support instruction and academies

throughout CATA!

Shop at Harris Teeter. Simply link your HT card to CATA. You do

need to re-link after August 1st each year. CATA school # is 3612.

Band Booster Club - Contact Band Booster president Aimi Gunder-

sen to volunteer at catabandpresident@gmail.com

Cougar Athletics – contact Jay Niessner at mail-

to:jay.niessner@ucps.k12.nc.us

Performing Arts Committee – contact the PTSO (see above) for

information about how to help out SEE THE INVEST IN SUCCESS PTSO FUNDRAISER PAGE IN THIS EDITION

Connecting Families The Cougar Council is trying to make it easier for families to connect with each other based on their student’s

academies, geographic location, sports played, clubs involved with, etc. We realize that since our school

covers the entire county it can sometimes be hard to make connections with other families. If you are inter-

ested in participating, please fill out the form using the link below. Please know that your information will only

be shared with other CATA families who are in the directory. This is a great place to go for contacts if you

need to find someone to carpool with or just to network with other parents in your student's academy.

https://goo.gl/forms/MNtCiIKqJRia6pNP2

Attention CATA Par-

ents - CATA is current-ly looking for another

parent to serve on the

Site Base Team Com-

mittee. This commit-

tee meets once per

month and is made

up of teachers, ad-

ministrators, and par-

ents who make deci-

sions for CATA's best

interest. If you are in-

terested please email

Dr. Kim Fisenne at

kim.fisenne@ucps.k12.

nc.us.

In Need of Parent Volunteers–

Staff Thanksgiving Dinner

CATA parents, we could use your help. The PTSO is hosting a Thanksgiving Luncheon for our

staff on Tuesday November 22nd. Please look at the link below and help donate to this

luncheon. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4babaa2aa31-thanksgiving3

We greatly appreciate your help, any questions please contact Sarah May 704-780-1576.

Thank you for your participation and donations as we show our thanks to our wonderful CA-

TA staff.

Central Academy of Technology and Arts 8

Student Life Notes We need more students to sign up for Powder Puff Football, Please see Ms. Christensen

in the Media Center if you are interested

Interested in the world around you? Want to get together and learn more? Great!

Come be a part of the World Language Club! See Ms. McAbee or Ms. Mancilla for

more information.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes: Everybody come join us on Thursdays from 8 until 8:40 in

the gym!

A new club is starting up at CATA, called YCI Bible Studies. Is there something you have

always wanted to ask or learn about from Scripture? We are coming together one day

a week digging into Scripture seeking answers and making friendships. All are welcome,

so come out Friday mornings to room 525 at 8:00.

Travel Club Are you interested in spending two weeks traveling through Spain and Por-

tugal next year? If so, see Ms. Foreman if you have any questions.

Preliminary requirements for giving blood include being at least 16 years of age and pa-

rental consent to sign up.

Central Academy of Technology and Arts 9

Around CATA Friday, November 11- NO SCHOOL: Veterans Day

Sunday, November 13– Shooting Sports Practice, 2 PM (Take Aim Sports);

Monday, November 14– Fall Sports Awards Night, 7 PM (Auditorium); Student Council Officer Meet-

ing 3:30 (Media Center), Robotics Club, 3:30 (Rm. 118);

Tuesday, November 15– Josten’s Final Senior Order Day (Cafeteria); PTSO Executive Meeting, 6:00

PM (Media Center); PTSO Meeting, 6:30 (Media Center); BETA Club Meeting at 8:25 AM and 3:35

(Media Center); BOAL In School Performance; NCTC Shows, 7 PM (Auditorium)

Wednesday, November 16– Red Cross Blood Drive, 9:00-1:30; FCA Leadership, 8:00 AM (Mr. Lind-

ley’s Rm.); General Student Council Meeting, 3:30 (Media Center); Buffalo Wild Wing Night for Band

-Monroe, 5-9 PM

Thursday, November 17- Robotics Club, 3:30 (Rm. 118); FCA Mtg, 8 AM (Gym); HOSA Meetings, 8:15

AM and 3:35 (Medical Lab);

Friday, November 18– Yearbook Ad Night, 5 PM (Media Center); Covered Canvas Dance Concert

7 PM (Auditorium)

Saturday, November 19- Covered Canvas Dance Concert 7 PM (Auditorium) Upcoming Events 11/1-11/30—American Indian Heritage Month 11/14 to 11/18—NC College Application Week. This coming week!!!!!!!

11/14 to 11/18— Anti-Bullying Week!

11/11—NO SCHOOL, Veterans Day

11/14— Fall Sports Awards Night, 7 PM Auditorium

11/15—Theater Performance of NCTC Plays, 7 PM (Auditorium)-Proceeds for NCTC competition

11/15— PTSO Executive Board Mtg, 6:00 (Media Center)

11/15— PTSO General Mtg, 6:30 PM (Media Center) Info Systems and Engineering Night

11/16— Buffalo Wild Wing Night, Band Fundraiser

11/16—Red Cross Blood Drive, 9-1:30

11/18— Yearbook Ad Night, 5 PM

11/18—Covered Canvas Dance Concert, 7 PM (Auditorium) Attendance Matters 11/19— Covered Canvas Dance Concert, 7 PM (Auditorium)

11/21—Poetry Out Loud School Wide Contest, 3:30 PM

11/23— 11/25— NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break

11/30—Site Based Team Meeting, 3:45 PM (Media Conference Rm).

Thank you Union County for the BONDS

NHS Student volunteer to help support those who

have Leukemia or who have fought Leukemia and

further research to eradicate this disease

Central Academy of Technology and Arts 10

Central Academy of Technology and Arts 11

Cougar Athletics If you have questions about athletics or want to volunteer to help with athletics, please

send an email to Athletic Director, Coach Jay Niessner. Make sure to follow all of

CATA’s athletic teams on Twitter: @CATA_Athletics

Last Week’s Results:

Football: Lost vs. Parkwood – Season Complete

Volleyball: Season Complete

Men’s Soccer: Loss vs. Shelby – 1st Rd Playoffs – Season Complete

Women’s Tennis: Season Complete

Women’s Golf: Season Complete

Cross Country: Men – 11th, Women – 13th @ NCHSAA State Meet – Season Complete

Upcoming Events:

Monday November 14th:

Fall Sports Awards Night – 7:00 pm – Auditorium

Wednesday November 16th:

HOME Wrestling vs. Vance & Myers Park – 6:30 pm

Saturday November 19th

AWAY Wrestling @ Marvin Ridge Invite – All Day Event

Other News:

Fall Wrap-Up:

Men’s Cross Country – the men’s team once again dominated the Rocky River Conference winning

their 4th straight conference title. They then followed that up by winning their 4th straight 2A Midwest

Regional Championship. The boys finished 11th @ the NCHSAA 2A state meet.

Women’s Cross Country – the women’s team finished 2nd in the Rocky River conference, 3rd @ the 2A

Midwest Regional Meet & 13th @ the 2A State meet. Great job this season ladies!

Women’s Tennis – the women’s tennis team finished the season 14-2, 10-0 in the RRC capturing their

2nd straight conference title. Kaley Williford dominated the conference winning the singles tourna-

ment for the 3rd straight year. She then followed that up by winning the Midwest Regional Singles

tournament, and finishing 3rd @ 2A State singles tournament.

Women’s Golf – the women’s golf team had its best season ever. The ladies finished 4th @ NCHSAA

Central 1A/2A regional tournament. Four girls qualified for the state tournament and the team fin-

ished 4th in the state, great job ladies.

Men’s Soccer – the men’s soccer team finished the season with a record of 13-9-3, 7-3 in the RRC.

The team qualified for the state playoffs and was defeated by Shelby in the first round of the 2A

state playoffs

Volleyball – the volleyball team finished the season with a record of 6-16, 4-6 in the RRC. The team

then hosted the RRC tournament, where they advanced to the second round before losing to tour-

nament champion West Stanly.

Football – the football team finished the 2016 year with a record of 1-10, 0-5 in the RRC. The team

played hard all season long, and competed in every game, even after being without many players

who were out with injuries throughout the season.

Cheerleading – although the CATA cheer squad does not compete the ladies did a great job all

season long cheering on the Football team. Coach Lawson had the ladies ready to go every game,

and they did a great job getting the CATA crowd into every game! Thank you ladies for making Fri-

day night football such a great event every week.

Fall Sports Awards Night will be on Monday, November 14th @ 7:00 pm in the CATA Auditorium.

Central Academy of Technology and Arts 12

Parent email and phone contact in-

formation—it is vital that we have

accurate information so that we

can reach you concerning your s

Students. Email

Mr. William Smith with any

changes.

Support the Wolfe School, a school for

students with very special needs, by brining

in the following items for Box tops for Edu-

cation: Bring items to the

guidance suite.

Chromebook —2016-2017: Please remember to pay your technology FEE of $25

The required technology user fee ($25) for your student. This fee includes an insurance pol-

icy that covers accidental damage. It is important to pay your fee so that if there is acci-

dental damage to your child’s computer that it is covered. You can pay this fee online at

the CATA Website)

CATA Spirit Wear available online and at home

Football Games. Support the Band and CATA and

get your spirit on.

To see all available spirt wear for CATA click here

Support our athletics and our Band of Blue at once by showing school spirit!!

Winter Head Coach Contact Information:

Athletic Director: Jay Niessner – jay.niessner@ucps.k12.nc.us

Cheerleading- Ashley Lawson – Ashley.lawson@ucps.k12.nc.us

Women’s Basketball – Tony Byrum – tb93bball@yahoo.com

Men’s Basketball – David Daniels – david.daniels@ucps.k12.nc.us

Indoor Track – Kim Inuwa – kim.inuwa@gmail.com

Wrestling – Mike Jacobus – mike.jacobus@ucps.k12.nc.us

Swimming – Kelly Lepsig – Kelly.lepsig@ucps.k12.nc.us

Cougar Pride - Way to go!!!! Dr. Fisenne and Mr. Hardy having a little dancing fun at

the National Blue Ribbon Ceremony in Washington D.C.

Nazirah Ahmad represented CATA at the award ceremony

for Parade Princess and the Alex Kahle Scholarship.

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Get Your Yearbooks! Yearbooks are now on sale for $75 (Price is good through January 27)!

Buy your 2017 yearbook today! Order online at

www.yearbookforever.com. and search for CATA or bring a check (made out to Central Academy) or cash to Ms. Christensen.

Spotlight on Instruction and Academic Opportunities

CATA Rat Rod =Academy Collaboration Harper Corp of America R.A.T. Rod Round-up Challenge -

$5,000 Grant. Currently students from Transportation, Information

Systems, Family and Consumer Sciences, Engineering, and Art

are involved in the creation of this build. This project will create

a bond between academies as they strive to a common goal.

The Rat Rod vehicle will consist of a minimum of 10 different parts from 10 different vehicles,

and will be road legal and drivable. CLICK HERE FOR THE RATROD WEBSITE

NEW LABS FOR MATH AND WRITING This is in addition to the existing Math Lab and individual teacher tutoring...

Math is on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 8:15 to 8:40 AM

(NHS Peer Tutors) In the Media Center

Writing is on Tuesdays (Ms. Foreman Rm. 208) and

Wednesdays (Ms. Barron Rm. 110) ) from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM